The objective ofthis trial was to evaluate the effect of lactation stage in the chemical andphysical characteristics of milk from Saanen goats as well as to investigatethe effects of flock management, milking sanitary conditions, and lactationphase in the milk fatty acid profile. Twenty goats were randomly assigned tofour groups of five animals each. Flock management differed by the presenceor absence of males in the groups while milking sanitary conditions differedeither by a poor or by a good milking hygiene. Milk samples were collected at35, 85 and 135 days of lactation. Results showed that milk yield was as expectedat 135 days of lactation; peak milk production was observed at 35 days of lactationand decreased linearly as lactation progressed. Milk yield, milk fat content,and milk acidity all changed according to the lactation stage. Milking sanitaryconditions and flock management did not affect the milk fatty acids profile.However, milk fatty acids profile differed at different lactation stages withthe greatest content of saturated fatty acids at 85 days of lactation.
